Integration of olfactory stimuli in a virtual reality experience for people with dementia

This study explored the potential benefits of integrating olfactory stimuli in a Virtual Reality (VR) experience for people with dementia (PwD) while employing the principles of Warm Technology. The project aimed to develop a stimulating and enjoyable multisensory VR experience that overlapped with the participants’ backgrounds or interests. Through an iterative design process involving expert interviews and workshops with PwD, two VR prototypes were developed and tested. The final prototype featured a scene that incorporated visuals that were recognizable or interesting for the study participants, together with olfactory elements aimed at enhancing the immersive experience. The Scent in this VR prototype was released using an open-source olfactory display called Nebula. Key findings highlight the varied responses among participants, emphasizing the importance of understanding the lived reality of PwD and their cognitive abilities. For instance, some participants demonstrated high levels of immersion and engagement in VR, while others used the VR scene as a catalyst for memory recall and storytelling. A conceptual framework was used to interpret these results and categorize the participants’ responses into five layers. These layers describe the lived reality from the participant's perspective, which provided insights into how PwD engage with multisensory experiences. These insights were used to formulate design recommendations that respect the personal differences between PwD and how they experience multisensory experiences. Despite the promising results and enjoyment of the VR activity, challenges like the small sample size were noted. Future research should focus on involving a larger, more diverse group of participants and work on more iterations to validate the findings and recommendations. Finally, this explorative research contributes to the growing knowledge about using VR and multisensory stimuli in dementia care. It highlights VR's potential as a tool to create pleasurable experiences.